Just wanted to mention that I recently discovered I have low iron. My GP never checks my iron but a specialist happened to do it when I asked her about my hair loss. So now I'm on iron pills (and yes, having side effects from that too). My thyroid test was ok - she said low thyroid is another common cause of hair loss.
Dr Google says that if you take your calcium with meals it can block the absorption of iron from foods so you should take calcium between meals. Since the Pred has caused me to have osteopenia I take lots of calcium and had been taking it with all 3 meals.
I think my main problem is that I don't eat enough meat so I'm rectifying that too.
Not sure if this will help anyone else.....but wanted to tell you about it in case it rings a bell with anyone.
Im hoping the low iron is part of why I have had so much fatigue with my PMR. It would be a bonus if the iron pills increased my energy!
Whoa.....you want to be really careful about how much calcium you take.
You don't throw calcium off like Vita C or some other things. It stays
in your system and can build up in kidneys causing stones. Check with
a doc about how much you should be taking daily....
Hi Mrs CJ,
Glad you found out about the iron, though it shocks me that docs don't check it. Make sure you are taking quality iron. My iron was 9, supposed to be 47 (USA), I took iron as directed, three times a day for a month, next blood work, it went down to a 4 because i got the cheap stuff thinking they were all the same.
I am in my 3rd month of the new stuff and I can do so much more, I am still tired, but not lethargic.
I don't take calcium, I eat loads of kale andother greens now, I hope it is enough.
Glad you are on your way to more energy!!
Low iron-anemia is common with PMR.
This is often called the anemia of inflammation or chronic disease. My gastric said pred will, in time, reverse it. I was taking Curcumin. My docs examined every office and I had every test. In the one month I was taking Curcumin my blood count dropped precipitously.
Curcumin can worsen the anemia of chronic disease and is best not taken. This is according to a study, in the medical literature, which I posed here last year.
I have osteopenia but not from predisone, as my last bone scan right before starting the preds showed that my bone density had decreased considerably in a year. In my case, it was vitamin D deficiency which I had been unable to elevate until recently when my blood test for it showed 45 which is a passing grade. Have you had vitamin D checked? So many things to watch for! Hope you feel better soon with the iron supplementation.
Wow, good to know! Thank you!
I am going in for a bone density test soon, what is it like, I have never had one. How is it tested?
Just like having an xray. You just lie there and they click away on a computer and that is it. It does not take long.
thankyou! I have so many tests coming up. Gotta do it before my insurance is taken away.
I went mad drinking milk - just my favourite drink! - and, guess what -
i had a terrific surplus of calcium, the result being kidney stones, so please, please, ask yuur doctor how much iron you should be taking.
Sorry! I meant 'calcium'!
I do talk to my GP about my calcium supplements so all is well with that. I can't tolerate any dairy so it's important that I take the calcium pills plus eat calcium foods.
Thanks for the warning about the quality of the iron pills. Here in Canada you have to ask the pharmacist for them - they are displayed behind the counter. So I did have a talk with him when I bought my pills and I hope they are good quality. I will find out when I get my blood test - seeing my GP this week about that.
I have been taking these pills almost 3 weeks and I felt better before I started them. Having some side effects but am hopeful my blood tests will be good and that I can change my dose or try a different form of iron pills. Currently taking ferrous fumarate.
i have been on Pred almost 4 years so I don't think it's going to fix my low iron! I don't have anemia but looking st my old blood tests my latest number is definitely lower than usual.
I had a bone scan before I got PMR and my bones were ok back then, so I know it's the Pred.
Yes i take about 2000 units of Vit D every day and have had a blood test to make sure it's ok.
I also added Vit K2-M7 a couple months ago as I've read it's important to take with the calcium, magnesium and D.
And i I agree with you - so many things to juggle!!
U can't take calcium with Pred or with iron, and should have Vit C foods with iron foods and everything needs to be 1-2 hours apart.....almost need s spreadsheet for this!
as I just wrote above, I am very sentive to all dairy so it's important that I take calcium pills plus get some from my diet. Recommended amount is 1,200 mgs so currently I take about 2/3 of that with pills and get the rest from diet.
Yikes, kidney stones don't sound like much fun!!
I should add that I have been taking Pred for almost 4 years and am currently on 3 3/4 mg. I am 67. I'm also puzzled why my GP never checks my iron. I've been reading that low iron is common with seniors so it seems like something we should be routinely checking.
Calcium best got from diet, dairy not best source, go for the leafy greens and, if you like them, tinned fish like salmon and sardines - eat the bones. There are other sources, like some dried fruits, etc. Too much animal protein provides you with an excess of phosphorus and that can leach calcium from your body. Aim for half your calcium to come from diet, half from supplements. I also have to take iron. As I do not like tablets and would have been a non-compliant patient, my doctor suggested liquid iron supplement, and I've been taking that with no difficulties. I take one dose in the morning when I am having my pred anyway and can't take calcium. I usually have the second dose mid-afternoon if I'm home then, or at lunchtime. I take calcium supplements at suppertime and bedtime. If I were taking three doses of calcium I'd take one at lunchtime and make sure I had the iron mid-afternoon.
Taking Vitamin K2 can help to avoid side effects from too much calcium. You want the calcium to go into your bones, not your blood vessels or kidneys, etc. Vitamin K2 and magnesium make sure that's what happens. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, but does not guide it into the bones, so you need all these nutrients and more. Most of the other micronutrients will be present in your well balanced diet.
Iron may be listed as ferritin rather than iron which may be why you did not notice the test.
Thank you for explaining about your calcium, iron and Pred. Lots of things for me to think about if I decide to change my schedule.
I was reading that molasses is very high in iron, 1T has 3.6 mg, so I will look into ways to incorporate that into my diet. And it's the season for gingerbread 😄